by Linda Kay
English Title: The Invisible Man Appears
Directed by: Nobuo Adachi
This review contains a mild Kitty Carnage Warning for rough handling!
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains some spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: An interesting Japanese tribute to classic Universal horror films finds a couple of scientists not only vying to outdo one another with their experiments but to win the heart of their mentor’s daughter. Added to the mix is an invisibility formula, a jewel thief and a convoluted plot to get one using the other.
Implied Kitty Cameo: Dr. Kenzo Nakazato (Ryūnosuke Tsukigata), the inventor of the invisibility formula, only experiments on animals since he has no anecdote. At one point he must have tried the serum on the family’s housecat, as he pulls a “cat” from a crate which is invisible. After a moment the “cat” wriggles free and runs from the room, heading into the house. The doctor’s family are then startled when they can hear the cat but can’t find him. However, strange things start happening, like piano stools moving on their own and the piano keys being pressed. Plus numerous objects around the room go crashing to the floor. The last of these is a vase and the women watch with surprise as dirty cat paws appear walking away from the overturned plant.
Cat Burglar (Scene Stealer): Later in the film two men at a jewelry store are talking about the Invisible Man’s attempt to steal a priceless necklace. The man who was confronted by The Invisible Man is clearly nervous and jumps when the door appears to open by itself, only to have a black cat wearing a ruffed collar walk in.
Moments later The Invisible Man makes his presence known (having actually entered the room!) and demonstrates by picking up the poor cat and tossing the confused animal onto the table.
The cat then meows his or her displeasure at the rough handling.
There is also a very cool neon cat sign in a club scene early in the film.
Final Mewsings: Cats are easy to spot when they’re invisible because they can’t resist knocking things over!
Many thanks to Melanie for letting us know about the cats in this film.
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